Cotton-beater.



c. J. MORGAN.

COTTON BEATER.

APPLICATION IILED NOV. 28, 1902 N0 MODEL.

i v I 1" I r J l c 2 w pesses Tn: non ms PETERS 00., mom-1.11500 WASHFNFYOE n a PATENTED JUNE 2, 1903.

UNITED STATES? Patented June 2, 1903.

PATENT OFFICE.

COTTON-BEATER.

SPECTFICATION forming part Of Letters Patent No. 729,635, dated June 2, 1903.

Application filed November 28,1902. Serial No. 133,036. (No model? To 7 7 whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHRISTOPHER J. Mon- GAN, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of New Hartford, county of Oneida,

State of New York, have invented an Improvement in Cotton-Beaters, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification, like characters on the drawings representing like parts.

This invention relates to apparatus for opening and cleaning cotton or other fibrous material such as pickers, boaters, and the like-wherein the fibrous material to be treated is directed by suitable feed-rolls to a beater revolving rapidly in a chamber provided with a segmentally-arranged series of grids adjacent the beater-path.

The number of grids and their adjustment are essential to the proper cleaning of the fiber, and the best results are obtained .by employing the maximum number of grids which can be used on the same circular are, provided they are shaped so as to present substantially equal openings for the escape of dirt.

It is most essential that the separation of adjacent grids shall be suffioient to permit the dirt to fall freely therebetween with the least amount of stock, and it is the present practice to bring the grids as near to the feedrolls as is compatible with safety.

The distance between the feed-roll and the nearest or top grid is from about one inch to an inch and one-half, or thereabout, it being impracticable to reduce the distance because of the liability of the fiber to wind upon the lower feed-roll and break one or more of the 'grids, thereby causing great damage by breakage or other damage.

The various novel features of my invention will be hereinafter described, and particularly pointed out in the following claims.

Figure 1 is a view of a portion of a cotton opener or beater with one embodiment of my invention applied thereto, the grids and feedrolls being shown in section. Fig. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the feed-rolls and the top grid to more clearly illustrate my invention; and Fig. 3 is a view of a part of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1, illustrating the operation of my invention if fiber winds upon the feed roll adjacent thereto.

Referring. to the drawings, the revolving heater 13, mounted on a shaft B, the feedrolls F F, the feeding-apron A, and the grids G may be and are of usual or well-known construction and operate in a manner familiar to those skilled in the art. The top grid is placed as near the lower feed-roll F as is considered safe, as is now the practice, and between said grid and feed-roll I interpose a yielding or flexible closure, shown as a wide strip 0, preferably of leather, canvas, or other suitable material. This strip is attached to the top grid by suitable fastenings 10, and it is then bent transversely to its length and its free edge 0 extended beneath and beyond the feed-roll F, it being understood that the closure extends fromone to the other end of the grid, the resiliency of the closure keeping it in contact with the feed-roll. It will be seen that the opening between the latter and the top grid is thus completely closed or bridged, so that stock cannot escape therethrough, the con vex surface of the closure acting to shed the fiber quickly therefrom.

Should the fiber wind upon the feed-roll,

as shown at 25, Fig. 3, the flexible closure is other grids the amount of waste can be controlled with great nicety. I can also by using a thinner grid use double the number in the same space, as there is no breakage risk to be considered.

My invention is not restricted to the construction and arrangement herein shown and described, as the same may be modified or rearranged in various particulars by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In apparatus of the class described, feedrolls, grids, and means to yieldingly close the opening between the feed-rolls and top grid, to prevent the escape of stock therethrough, said means contacting with the adjacent feedroll.

2. In apparatus of the class described, feedrolls, grids, and a yielding closure interposed between the feed-rolls and top grid, to cover the opening therebetween and prevent the escape of stock therethrough, the free edge of the closure contacting with the adjacent feed roll.

3. In apparatus of the class described, feedrolls, grids, and a flexible closure secured to the top grid, upturned and bent back beneath the adjacent feed-roll, to prevent the escape of stock between the latter and the CHRISTOPHER J. MORGAN.

\Vitnesses RICHARD E. EVANS, THOMAS KELLY. 

